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Enrico H.
What does "fair and square" means?
I've heard a song by an american band that, at a certain point, says "One day I will beat you fair and square". I know what "fair" means, but I can't get the meaning of "fair and square"
May 5, 2015 10:15 AM
Answers · 2
'Fair and square' is a adverbial set phrase meaning 'absolutely fairly'.
The main reason we use this phrase is because the rhyme and rhythm sound good. The rhyming words 'and square' give force and emphasis to the word 'fair'. The word 'square' has very little literal meaning here, apart from the associations with being a shape with clear and obvious lines, suggesting honesty and equality. We have other expressions with 'square' which suggest fairness - for example, a 'square deal' is a fair and honest deal.
May 5, 2015
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Enrico H.
Language Skills
Chinese (Mandarin), English, German, Italian, Japanese
Learning Language
English, Japanese
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